We all have airbeds - a double one but with two separate chambers so if one of us gets up, the other doesn't sink to the floor and two single airbeds. I think our double is a Coleman and I'd recommend it happily. The single beds really weren't expensive, I know we got one from Go outdoors, for £10-15. We have used thermorests or other self inflating mats, but we don't find them as comfortable for a fortnight's summer holiday as the proper airbeds. We have a pump that attaches to the car engine so they are easy to inflate. This might say more about our mattress at home, but I find the air bed more comfortable! Both children have a sleeping bag but we take a sheet and our duvet for true comfort. We've looked at the double sleeping bags, but they're pricey for the 3 or 4 weeks a year we'd use it and also they don't look as though they'd take up much less room.
Good luck and hope you enjoy your first camping trip in a tent.
------------- ktjc
Cherry Tree Farm, 2016
Porthclais Farm Campsite 2015
Cherry Tree Farm, Croyde 2014
Seefelden, Lake Constance, 2013
The Secret Campsite, 2013
Cliff House, 2013
Southwold 2012
Masons, Appletreewick, 2012
Le Petit Rocher, 2011
Cliff House, Dunwich, 2011
Bolberry House Farm, 2010
We've also got the same double airbed and would recommend them. Its worth putting one of those foil blaankets on the ground under the air bed and a blanket on top.
Our kids are 14 & 11 and use either a roll mat, single air bed, camp bed or self inflatting mat depending on how long we're going for. They're used to roll mats when they go away with the scouts.
I've used air beds before and don't mind them but they always deflate. We moved to campbeds but I found them too firm and woke in the morning with sore pressure points on my body. This year after advice on here we added a 5cm SIM and it was pretty comfortable, we are converts now.
SIM on campbed without a doubt. Tried air beds and they deflate and are low to the ground plus you often disturb your partner if you need to get up when he / she is still asleep.
I have the Exped Megamat on Kampa Dream XL camp bed.
------------- May '13 Rozel, Jersey
July '13 Cognac, France
August '13 Domaine Les Gonies, France
September '14 Domaine Les Gonies, France
August 15 Gonies, France
August 17, Gonies , France
Definitely a campbed with a SIM on top as a mattress. You may well find airbeds are cold unless very well insulated underneath and on top. They will also deflate during the night due to the drop in temperature and the only airbed I ever bought that didn't spring a leak after just a few trips was an old 'Lilo' which I had for years until it finally started leaking. Modern airbeds are rubbish in my opinion.
Another vote for camp bed topped with a sim. I've tried various combinations of beds over the past few years and always woke with an aching bod and / or a bed that had deflated overnight. We've now got a reasonable camp bed with an aldi sim on top and it gives me a really good night sleep.
As a word of warning, it's worth doing some research and buying right first time. I didn't do this and therefore have a cupboard full of various beds that I've tried over the years (and an empty bank account)!
After weeks of what; which; etc
we got 2 intex single raised air beds with built in pump.
We have spent 12 nights on them in the tent,so far. And found them very comfortable.Every other night a quick 2second blast of air and they are fine.
We have the Intex Queen double height with built in pump. Just as comfy as our bed at home.
For the benefit of the OP I would advise putting insulation below and on top of any air mattress.
We use the foam type stuff that comes in a roll and is used below laminate flooring and a mattress topper on top...toasty.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I have a double height kingsize airbed. I have 2 actually.
Both made by intex.
One is 2 airbeds that zip together - one on top of the other. I use an electric pump and it takes seconds to inflate. I would say I top up with either the electric of foot pump (I always take a foot pump just incase late into the evening I have forgotten to pump up)and have to top up one chamber every other night - just a few pumps. I prefer this bed because it has the added insurance that if one gets a puncture then I still have one to sleep on.
The other bed is a kingsize double height airbed that is just one bed. Its just as good comfort wise and again needs topping up every other day.
I used roll mats or cardboard as insulation under the bed. Then I use am old thinnish duvet ontop with a fitted sheet and my winterweight duvet from home (I am a wimp and feel the cold).
The only thing to watch with the double height beds is to allow for the size with the sides of your tent/bedroom, if the sides slope in.
------------- I used to be emvid then a Little Lemon but now I am Emvid again!
Couldn't recommend anything other than a SIM on a camp bed. Prices and quality vary a lot, but in all honesty, we got a less varied result... Always excellent nights sleep, with no achy bones in the morning, and no waking up cold.
We now have the 10cm Exped comfort SIM's, on a run of the mill GO camp bed.
The added advantage of the camp bed, is that you have the underneath space for storage, which in turn, offers added insulation between bed and cold floor.
And of course, easier for getting dressed/getting socks on etc, as you are sitting at a comfortable height. No rolling around trying to get up off your knees/a*5e of a morning!! Not elegant at all!
There are disadvantages though, of course... you may need a new car to carry them all!!
When backpacking I'm on a SIM on the floor with insulation under it...
On my main holidays...Or when I can afford to hire a van 1st thing I pack is my Carp fishermans campbed... Big and bulky to pack...But with the van that's not a problem for me...Six adjustable legs that mean whatever the state of my pitch (Sloping etc) I can have a good level nights sleep which ever way I have to put the bed...I can't see past them personally....But do know some who have used them...And say they don't provide enough support(Something I have never found) And have switched to the campbed SIM combo...
Camp bed Sim combo would probably be my ideal second choice......
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
For our fortnight campings we use two ThermaRest DreamTime XL's that fasten together with there embedded straps to make a large double bed, they are of course a SiM at 3.5" (9cm) thickness.
The DreamTime has now been replaced by the a NeoAir a Dream, same thing but now even better if that was ever possible.
Not cheep to buy, but we got ours back in 2008 and they are still in perfect condition.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: What to sleep on?
